Page 9 of Compassion

Ah. Prince Charming with a stethoscope.

“Surely, you remember, Jaye. You’re not having cognitive processing issues already, are you? You’re too young for that. Have you been having enough broccoli? Salmon?”

Swallowing my annoyance is barely done. “Why would thisstrangerI don’t know magically call me on a Tuesday night after work?”

“Because I gave him your number.”

“Mom.”

“Jaye,” she begins in such a familiar way I can practically recite what's coming next as I change lanes, “I showed him your picture at work-”

“That’s not weird-”

“-and he thought you were attractive. Actually, he thought you were stunning. Yes, I’m quoting him. The direct quote is ‘Your daughter is quite stunning, Maggie. How is she still single?’.”

Perhaps because I lack a personality people want to spend time with?

“I told him, you won’t be for long, so he better hop on it while you still are.”

“Wow,” is quietly whispered under my breath.

“Bit of an oversale-”

“Ouch.”

“-but people love the idea of getting something before everyone else does.”

What am I? The latest trending sweater?!

“I simply offered him your number afterwards and was just curious if he had used it yet.”

Meet the original version of all dating aps. Mothers.

“And hewilluse it. I know people, Jaye.”

Just not her daughter.

“There’s no reason to be worried about him not having called at this point.”

“I’m not worried.”

Not even sure I care, honestly.

“And there’s no reason to be upset about me taking the initiative to facilitate this connection for you.”

Upset isn’t the right word. More like…annoyed. Look, I get it. She…means…well. I know this. I know this like I know every line of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but it doesn’t change the fact it irritates me. Severely.

“I’m not upset.”

“You sound upset.”

“I don’t.”

“You do. You sound like you’re trying to pretend you’re not because you really are and don’t want to get into it with me about it.”

Oh, that she picks up on? Not the whole…uninterested in being matchmade again?

“Nonetheless, it’s fine. You’ll get over it, especially once youfinallyhave someone to come home to again.”

---